For those who might be planning trips to the Olympics this month, the Hood Canal Bridge is open! It opened 11 days early at 10:19 last night (Wednesday). We went down and watched the last of the bridge span opening tests, then passed up an opportunity to be the second car to cross. But tomorrow we take out trailer across to camp at a state park in Kitsap County.

For those who might be saying "so what" (true, if you live in Iowa it's not very relevant) here's some fascinating facts - the Hood Canal Bridge at 7,869 feet (2,398 m) is it the longest floating bridge in the world located in a saltwater tidal basin, and the third longest floating bridge overall. Opened in 1961, it has now been reconstructed and is very high tech. It is a critical player in the economy and lives of everyone living on the Olympic Peninsula, the largest (I believe) peninsula in the US, and the gateway for Naval ships and nuclear subs leaving Bangor Naval Base, which is why it's ability to open and close with easy and reliability is crucial.

But far more important it's the gateway to a GREAT place to go camping! The Olympic National Park, Hoh Rainforest, Pacific Ocean.....etc. etc.

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__________________"A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving." -- Lao Tzu